Redskins power rankings vary from top 10 to tied with Cowboys

What’s a surefire way to get Washington Redskins fans riled up? Tell them that Washington, at 6-3, is equally as good as the 4-5 Dallas Cowboys whom Washington beat head-to-head.

Such is the case in Sports Illustrated’s new NFL power rankings, which have the Redskins and Cowboys tied at 15th (and the Philadelphia Eagles 10th!).

Their rankers bumped the Redskins up less than one spot from 16th to T-15th after they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Conversely, the Cowboys flew up from 21st after beating the 4-5 Eagles. Who, again, are 10th.

But take a breath. The Redskins get more respect elsewhere. USA Today boosted them back into their top 10, No. 9 to be specific. USA Today’s opinion of the Redskins seems to have been higher than the general consensus all season.

“If slow and steady wins the race, Washington is ever methodically building cushion that may be too much for Eagles or Cowboys to pop,” USA Today’s Nate Davis wrote.

ESPN placed the Redskins 12th, and NFL.com ranked them 13th. ESPN, NFL.com and USA Today all had Washington No. 14 a week ago.

Washington has a tough task this week hosting the 6-3 Houston Texans, who have won their last six games and come to town off a bye week. ESPN and NFL.com rank Houston 10th in their power rankings; USA Today and Sports Illustrated go with 12th.